Denia Bay Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Bahía de Denia, Denia outer anchorage
Denia is the northern gateway to the Costa Blanca and the main ferry port for the Balearics (Ibiza, Mallorca). The anchorage in the S bay, beneath the hilltop Moorish castle, is a useful overnight stop for boats making the crossing to Ibiza (55nm E) or continuing south. Not a scenic destination anchorage but practical for provisioning and waiting for a weather window. The old town below the castle has good restaurants and a famous rice-growing tradition.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
38°50.6'N 000°06.4'E
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand, Posidonia
Holding
Good HoldingProtected From
N, NW, NE, W
Exposed To
S, SE, E
Best Months
April, May, June, September, October
Anchoring Fee
Free
Mooring Buoys
None
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m for 4–10m. Ferry lane clearance mandatory — ensure anchor is well S of the marked channel.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreePosidonia Alert — Critical
Posidonia oceanica meadows are present in this anchorage. Before dropping anchor, use the free DONIA app to identify sandy patches. Anchoring on Posidonia is prohibited under EU law and Spanish Law 42/2007 — fines up to €200,000 in the Javea area are actively enforced. Yellowish-green patches visible from the surface indicate Posidonia — do not anchor there.
The Anchorage
Anchor in 4–8m in sandy patches S of the Denia castle headland. Denia marks the gateway to the Costa Blanca from the N — it is the ferry port for the Balearics and traffic is constant. Anchor clear of the ferry lane (marked by red/green buoys). Good holding in sand patches. Open to SE/S.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Denia Bay is primarily sand and Posidonia with reliable holding when properly set.
- Approach slowly — at 4–10m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (70m chain at 10m depth).
- Drop into the wind or current and pay out chain steadily.
- Set firmly in reverse — 30–60 seconds moderate throttle astern.
- Snorkel to verify Posidonia-free hold — visually confirm anchor buried in sand.
Recommended anchor types: SPADE, Rocna, Delta.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Denia Bay are feasible but require monitoring — exposed to S and SE and E winds and swell.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 90m radius before going below. 90m for 4–10m. Ferry lane clearance mandatory — ensure anchor is well S of the marked channel.
April–October. Primarily a passage/provisioning stop rather than a destination.
Navigation Hazards
- Balearia ferry (Denia–Ibiza–Mallorca) operates multiple daily — watch for high-speed approach
- Posidonia — use DONIA app
- Open to SE/E — Levante swell enters directly
Rules & Regulations
- Anchoring fee: Free
- Key restrictions: Maintain clearance from Balearia Ferry lane (marked). No anchoring within 200m of ferry quay.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Available
- Fuel: Available
- Restaurant: Good restaurants in old town below the castle — 15 min walk.
- Provisions: Available
Skipper's Tips
- Good staging anchorage before the Ibiza crossing — easy provisioning, weather forecasting from the quay bar.
- The rice fields behind Denia produce some of Spain's best arroz a banda.
A note on this guide: Data researched from multiple sailing sources and provided in good faith. Always check current weather, NAVTEX bulletins, and the DONIA app for Posidonia mapping before visiting. Use a GPS anchor alarm and never rely solely on a guide for navigational decisions.
Sleep peacefully at Denia Bay
Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously and sounds an alarm if your boat drifts outside your set radius.
Download Free for iOS